3. Argument vs Distraction

[John]

3. In the first of Screwtape's letters, he instructs Wormwood not to attempt to win the patient's soul through argument, but rather by fixing his attention on "the stream of immediate sense experiences" Why is immersion in the particulars of "real life" fertile ground for temptation? Why is argument a risky strategy for devils to employ?

[Mariangel]

John wrote: "Why is argument a risky strategy for devils to employ?"

Because reason has been given us by God, and if used properly will lead us to Him.

The devils will try to mislead us by false reasoning, but reason is not their tool.

[John]

Mariangel wrote: "John wrote: "Why is argument a risky strategy for devils to employ?"

Because reason has been given us by God, and if used properly will lead us to Him.

The devils will try to mislead us by false..."

I think you see the dichotomy that Lewis was referring to today in the effort in politics to argue that "lived experience" trumps reason and logic which are patriarchal or white supremacist. As well as in the insistence that a person can simply ignore argument if it conflicts with "their truth."

[Michael]

This is why modernism is so dangerous: it replaces "man's miserable intellect" (Msgr. Knox) and reason guided and illuminated by faith, with faith alone, so that everything, including God's existence and the natural law depends solely on faith. That's why in Canon 2.1 of the First Vatican Council anyone denying the place of reason was anathematized, and the first article in the Oath Against Modernism is an affirmation of reason. As Pope Pius XII reminded us in § 2 of Humani Generis, "Absolutely speaking, knowledge of God's existence and of the natural law written in the hearts of all men may be known by the force and light of human reason alone." Liberal and conservative modernists both reject this fundamental doctrine of the Church, as Ven. Fulton j. Sheen noted in his doctoral thesis, "God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy" (1925).

[Fonch]

Mr. Greney is a big pleasure to have with us. Correct me in case that i am wrong, but Ignatius Press did not publish a book written by Milton Walsh comparing Ronald Knox with C.S. Lewis? I will participate more seriously in this discussion the 11th of april when the easter concluded.

[Michael]

Fonch wrote: "Mr. Greney is a big pleasure to have with us. Correct me in case that i am wrong, but Ignatius Press did not publish a book written by Milton Walsh comparing Ronald Knox with C.S. Lewis? I will par..."

Yes, it was titled "Second Friends" but I haven't read it. It says it came out in 2008.